Andrew Evans, managing director of Centaur Live, the exhibitions division of Centaur Media, has announced his departure from the company.
He told EW's sister title EN he was leaving Centaur Media after five enjoyable years.
“I leave behind a great team, some superb events and a whole lot of goodwill; this is a very amicable parting. My focus over the next few months is to unearth opportunities, which will see three decades of experience put to good use. As you’d imagine, I am incredibly excited about what lies ahead.”
Following Evans’ announcement, Centaur Media has embarked on a £2m programme of cutbacks across its business.
The group’s recent financial interim statement for the six months ended 30 June 2016 noted “weakness in smaller, more sponsorship-dependent events”.
Centaur reported a 17 per cent drop in operating profits to £5m from £6.1m, with adjusted diluted earnings per share down 19 per cent.
A statement released on 29 July said a £2m cost cutting programme was already underway and financial services revenues were 10 per cent lower, “reflecting weakening advertising trends”.
Paul Kennedy, the consultant who helped engineer The Meetings Show, remains as chairman of its advisory board.
Chief executive Andria Vidler claimed in the financial statement the group remained profitable and on track to deliver a reduction in net debt.
“The slow-down in advertising in the run up to the referendum has reinforced the rationale of our customer-focused strategy to build premium digital subscription products and must-attend events,” she said, claiming the outlook for those brands was positive.
“As we continue to take out costs in the second half, we will also focus even more vigorously on our brands which have the potential to accelerate the Group’s transition,” she added.
